ROCHESTER CASTLE

The site of Rochester Castle which once controlled the bridge crossing of the Medway on the route from London to Canterbury and Dover. The castle was built soon after the Norman Conquest and is mentioned in the Domesday Book, although the western curtain wall overlies an earlier Roman wall making it likely that this area of the castle was once within the Roman town of Durobreve. This was rebuilt for William Rufus by Gundulf, Bishop of Rochester between 1087 and 1089. The four-storey keep is one of the largest in England. To the north of the keep an irregular bailey is all that can be seen of the 1088 construction. At the east end a section of wall with drum towers, the work of Henry III, survives. In 1127 Henry I gave the custody of the castle to the Archbishop of Canterbury and his successors and shortly afterwards construction of a stone keep began in the southern part of the bailey. The castle was carefully maintained, especially in 1172-73 and again in 1206 when a large sum was spent on its ditches, bridge, tower and other buildings. The castle was strengthened during the reign of Richard I, and during the siege of 1215 the curtain wall and southeast corner of the keep were undermined by King John's engineers. It was repaired in 1221-3. There was another siege in 1264 and the damage to the castle by Simon de Montfort and Gilbert de Clare was considerable. A survey of 1340 shows the extent of the damage. A new building campaign, including a new angle tower, was undertaken in 1367-83 to finally repair the damage done during the siege. This was the last major period of repair. In 1610 James I sold the castle to Sir Anthony Weldon and it remained in his family until the 19th century. The castle grounds were leased from the Earl of Jersey by the City of Rochester in 1870 for use as a pleasure garden, and the remains of the outer gate and drawbridge were demolished by 1872. It was acquired by the City of Rochester in 1884 and is now in the care of English Heritage.

The castle was begun in 1087 but the four storeyed keep was built circa 1130. The latter's south east angle has been rebuilt, probably as a result of the breaching during the siege of 1215. [See Map Diagram.] (2-4)

Scheduled (5)

As described and in good condition. For details see the map diagram & GP's AO/51/42/7, AO/51/43/1 & 8. Published 1:1250 survey correct. (6)

For archaeological and historical description. (7)

The castle including the castle wall to east and west and the bastion tower to the north. Grade I. First castle on the site built by Archbishop Gundulph in 1080. The present fine Norman keep was built by William de Corbeuil, Archbishop of Canterbury in 1123 - 1136. The keep was deserted by the 16th century and many of its materials robbed. Now in the care of the Ministry of Works. (For full description see list) (8)

Additional bibliography. (9-22)

In the Autumn of 1976 permission was given by Medway Borough Council for excavation in advance of landscaping the area, of a narrow strip of ground lying to the east of the curtain wall and north of tower three. The remains of six ovens or kilns, varying in size or shape, were found, as well as some late 11th and early 12th century pottery, 5 complete loom weights and several fragments, a tentatively interpreted `seige trench' and further traces of Roman wall. (23)

Additional bibliography - not consulted. (24-27)

Rochester Castle (formerly listed as the castle). Castle keep, curtain walls and mural towers to bailey. A building of exceptional significance. Built at the bridging point where Watling street crosses the Medway. One of the first Norman castles to be fortified in stone. [Full architectural description] LISTED GRADE I. Scheduled Ancient Monument. (28)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 25" 1938

( 2) by Sidney Toy 1955 A history of fortification, from 3000 BC to AD 1700

Page(s)82, 162

( 3) by Sidney Toy 1953 The castles of Great Britain

Page(s)81-2

( 4) Kent Archaeological Society Archaeologia Cantiana : being contributions to the history and archaeology of Kent